Temperature regulation device

ABSTRACT

A temperature regulation device includes a temperature regulator. The temperature regulator includes a current adjusting circuit, a refrigerator, and a transmission component. A temperature of the refrigerator is varied due to the adjustable current, and, via the transmission component, to thereby test the temperature-sensing integrity of an object such as a temperature sensor.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to a temperature regulation device for regulating a temperature of an object.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices, such as computer cases and servers, may have a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of fans in the electronic devices, so it is important to test a performance of the temperature sensor. In testing, the temperature of the temperature sensor gradually increases until reaching a reference value. If the sensor is working normally (e.g., indicator light signifying normal), the sensor confirms that the temperature sensor is matching with the electronic device. However, the temperature of the sensor can not be adjusted in real-time during testing, which makes carrying out a test very difficult.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiment can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiment. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a temperature regulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a current adjusting circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the temperature regulation device of FIG. 1 of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a temperature regulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment. The temperature regulation device 100 is used to control and adjust a temperature of an object 200, thereby testing the performance of the object 200. In the present embodiment, the object 200 is a temperature sensor set in an electronic device (not shown), and used to monitor a temperature in the electronic device.

The temperature regulation device 100 includes a temperature regulator 11, a temperature detector 12, and a display 13.

The temperature regulator 11 is capable of adjusting the temperature experienced by the object 200. The temperature regulator 11 includes a current adjusting circuit 111, a refrigerator 112, and a transmission component 113. The current adjusting circuit 111 is connected to the refrigerator 112, and capable of outputting an adjustable current to the refrigerator 112. By means of the adjustable current, the temperature of the refrigerator 112 may be controlled and changed.

In detail, referring to FIG. 2, the current adjusting circuit 111 includes a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) Q, and an adjustable resistor 114. In the present embodiment, the adjustable resistor 114 can be a variable resistor, or a rheostat. The adjustable resistor 114 includes a sliding contact 115 and a fixed contact 116. The sliding contact 115 can be moved relative to the fixed contact 116, and is connected to a power supply VCC. The fixed contact 116 is electronically connected to a base of the BJT Q. An emitter of the BJT Q is connected to ground through a resistor R1. A collector of the BJT Q is connected to the power supply VCC via a resistor R2.

The refrigerator 112 is connected to the collector of the BJT Q. When moving or adjusting the sliding contact 115, the resistance of the adjustable resistor 114 changes and therefore the current output to the base of the BJT Q changes. Thus, the current output to the refrigerator 112 (i.e., the current of the collector of the BJT Q) is also variable. According to the performance of the refrigerator 112, when the current being output to the refrigerator 112 changes, the temperature of the refrigerator 112 is correspondingly changed. In addition, due to the change of the temperature, the refrigerator 112 correspondingly generates a high-temperature airflow or a low-temperature airflow.

In the present embodiment, the transmission component 113 is a hollow cylinder. One end of the transmission component 113 is mechanically connected to the refrigerator 112, and the other end of the transmission component 113 faces to the object 200. Thus, the high-temperature airflow or the low-temperature airflow from the refrigerator 112 is transmitted to the object 200 via the transmission component 113. As the object 200 receives the high-temperature airflow or the low-temperature airflow, a surface temperature of the object 200 correspondingly changes, and the object 200 radiates infrared radiation of a particular frequency in accordance with the surface temperature of the object 200. In addition, a plurality of testing holes 117 are defined on the end of the transmission component 113 where the transmission component 113 faces to the object 200, and these testing holes 117 transmit the infrared radiation from the object 200 to the temperature detector 12.

In the present embodiment, the temperature detector 12 is a simple infrared sensor, and includes an optics system 121, a detect component 122 and a transform circuit 123. The optics system 121 is mechanically connected to the testing holes 117, and used to collect the infrared radiation from the object 200, thereby transmitting it to the detect component 122. The detect component 122 can be a photoelectric detect component, or a thermal detect component, with a thermal resistor used here as an example. The detect component 122 is electronically connected to the optic system 121, and receives the infrared radiation, and the temperature and the resistance of the detect component 122 is changed correspondingly. The transform circuit 123 is electronically connected to the detect component 122. The transform circuit 123 is capable of transforming the change of the resistance value of the detect component 122 into a corresponding voltage or a current, and thereby processing and transforming the voltage or the current into a temperature value for display on the display 13. In this embodiment, the display 13 can be a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 3, the temperature regulation device 100 further includes a housing 14, and a rotating knob 15. The housing 14 is capable of receiving the temperature regulator 11, and the temperature detector 12, thereby protecting the temperature regulator 11 and the temperature detector 12 from damage. The display 13, the transmission component 113, and the rotating knob 15 are located on one of the sidewalls of the housing 14. The rotating knob 15 is mechanically connected to the sliding contact 115 to adjust and change the resistance of the adjustable resistor 114, thereby adjusting and changing the output of the refrigerator 112. For example, when the rotating knob 15 is rotated clockwise, the sliding contact 115 moves toward the fixed contact 116, and the resistance of the adjustable resistor 114 is decreased, thereby causing a reduction of the temperature around the object 200. When the rotating knob 15 is rotated counterclockwise, the sliding contact 115 moves away from the fixed contact 115, and the resistance of the adjustable resistor 114 is increased, thereby raising the temperature around the object 200.

In use, the temperature regulator 11 and the temperature detector 12 are received in the housing 14, and the rotating knob 15 is mechanically connected to the sliding contact 115. Then, the transmission component 113 faces to the object 200. By turning the rotating knob 15, the resistance of the adjustable resistor 114 is changed, so the output current of the current adjusting circuit 111 changes accordingly. The temperature of the refrigerator 112 is also changed, and thereby generating a high-temperature airflow or a low-temperature airflow. The high-temperature airflow or the low-temperature airflow is applied to the object 200 via the transmission component 113 resulting in a change in the actual temperature being experienced by the object 200. In addition, the temperature detector 12 obtains and transmits the temperature value of the object 200 via the testing holes 117 to display on the display 13.

In the other embodiments, the temperature regulation device 100 further includes an insulating component (not shown). The insulating component is wrapped on an outside of the transmission component 113, and capable of preventing injury to an operator due to the high temperature of the transmission component 113.

The temperature surrounding the object 200 can be adjusted quickly and in real-time and also in small increments during testing, until the temperature-indicating output of the object 200 reaches a reference value.

In the present specification and claims, the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Further, the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the exemplary disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the exemplary disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of this exemplary disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A temperature regulation device used for regulating a temperature of an object, and testing a performance of the object, the temperature regulation device comprising: a temperature regulator comprising: a current adjusting circuit outputting an adjustable current; a refrigerator electronically connected to an output of the current adjusting circuit, wherein a temperature of the refrigerator is accordingly changed due to the adjustable current, thereby the refrigerator generating a high-temperature airflow or a low-temperature airflow in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerator; and a transmission component, wherein one end of the transmission component is connected to the refrigerator, and the other end of the transmission component faces to the object, the high-temperature airflow or the low-temperature airflow is transmitted to the object via the transmission component, thereby adjusting the temperature of the object.
 2. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current adjusting circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and an adjustable resistor, a base of the BJT is connected to a power supply via the adjustable resistor, a collector of the BJT is connected to the power supply via a resistor, an emitter of the BJT is connected to ground, the refrigerator is connected to the collector of the BJT, by adjusting the adjustable resistor, the resistance of the adjustable resistor is variable so as to change the current of the base and the collector of the BJT, thereby supplying the adjustable current to the refrigerator.
 3. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjustable resistor includes a sliding contact and a fixed contact, the fixed contact is connected to the base of the BJT, the sliding contact is connected to the power supply, and is capable of moving towards or away from the fixed contact.
 4. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 1, further including a temperature detector and a display, wherein the temperature detector detects the temperature of the object, and thereby transmitting to display on the display.
 5. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature detector includes an optic system, a detect component, and a transform circuit, the object radiates infrared radiation corresponding to the temperature of the object, the optic system collects and transmits the infrared radiation to the detect component, the detect component receives the infrared radiation from the optics system so as to the temperature and the resistance of the detect component is changed correspondingly, the transform circuit transforms the resistance value of the detect component into a corresponding voltage or a current, thereby processing and transforming the voltage or the current into a temperature value.
 6. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of testing holes are defined on a sidewall of the transmission component away from the refrigerator, the optic system collects the infrared radiation via the testing holes.
 7. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 4, further including a housing for receiving the temperature regulator and the temperature detector.
 8. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 3, further including a rotating knob, wherein the rotating knob is mechanically connected to the sliding contact to adjust and change the resistance of the adjustable resistor.
 9. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 1, further including an insulating component wrapped on an outside of the transmission component.
 10. A temperature regulation device, comprising: a temperature regulator comprising: a current adjusting circuit outputting an adjustable current; a refrigerator electronically connected to an output of the current adjusting circuit, wherein a temperature of the refrigerator is accordingly varied due to the adjustable current, thereby generating a high-temperature airflow or a low-temperature airflow in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerator; and a transmission component, wherein one end of the transmission component is connected to the refrigerator, and the other end of the transmission component faces to an object, the high-temperature airflow or the low-temperature airflow is transmitted to an object via the transmission component, thereby adjusting the temperature of the object; a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the object; and a display for displaying the temperature detected by the temperature detector.
 11. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the current adjusting circuit includes a BJT, and an adjustable resistor, a base of the BJT is connected to a power supply via the adjustable resistor, a collector of the BJT is connected to the power supply via a resistor, an emitter of the BJT is connected to ground, the refrigerator is connected to the collector of the BJT, by adjusting the adjustable resistor, the resistance of the adjustable resistor is variable so as to change the current supplied to the base and the collector of the BJT, thereby supplying the adjustable current to the refrigerator.
 12. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the adjustable resistor includes a sliding contact and a fixed contact, the fixed contact is connected to the base of the BJT, the sliding contact is connected to the power supply, and is capable of moving towards or away from the fixed contact.
 13. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the temperature detect includes an optic system, a detect component, and a transform circuit, the object radiates infrared radiation corresponding to the temperature of the object, the optic system collects and transmits the infrared radiation to the detect component, the detect component receives the infrared radiation from the optics system so as to the temperature and the resistance of the detect component is changed correspondingly, the transform circuit transforms the resistance of the detect component into a corresponding voltage or a current, thereby processing and transforming the voltage or the current into a temperature value.
 14. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plurality of testing holes are defined on the sidewall away from the refrigerator, the optic system collects the infrared ray via the testing holes.
 15. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 11, further including a housing for receiving the temperature regulator and the temperature detector.
 16. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 12, further including a rotating knob, wherein the rotating knob is mechanically connected to the sliding contact to adjust and change the resistance of the adjustable resistor.
 17. The temperature regulation device as claimed in claim 11, further including an insulating component located on an outside of the transmission component. 